Summary Reader Response Draft 4

 

The web page “How an accidental discovery made this year could change the world” from BIGTHINK (Lockett, 2022) explores how lithium-ion batteries are inferior to lithium-sulfur batteries. Lithium-ion is used to store charge and power most electrical devices. However, it was reported that lithium-ion can be harmful to the vast ecosystems, have lifecycle problems from recurrent charging, battery degradation, are not suitable for lightweight applications and are volatile. This inspired Drexel scientists to look into lithium-sulfur batteries (Lockett, 2022). The lithium-sulfur battery eliminates the above issues, but the trade-off is that lithium-sulfur has half the charging cycle of lithium-ion batteries. Lockett (2022) reports that in comparison to ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries will last twice as long, have three times more energy, charge equally fast, can reduce battery expansion, have better safety margins, and are cheaper (2022). Lithium-sulfur batteries potentially allow a huge range of activities to go full electric like short-haul flights, cargo vessels, and passenger ferries. This results in weight-saving, longevity, and competitive prices to achieve low-carbon goals (Lockett, 2022). 

The advantages of lithium-sulfur batteries over lithium-ion batteries in terms of better efficiency, cheaper cost, and improved safety make them more reliable for use in the transportation sector.

One advantage of lithium-sulfur batteries over lithium-ion batteries is that the former can demonstrate a significant advantage over the traditional lithium-ion batteries in terms of energy storage capability. The specific energy capacity of lithium-sulfur batteries is 1,220 mAh/g, compared to lithium-ion batteries with only 140 mAh/g (Singapore Scientists Simplify, 2019). A potential application that can demonstrate the superiority of lithium-sulfur batteries against lithium-ion batteries will be on electric vehicles. As of 2021, the range of electric-powered vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries covers approximately 243 miles while the use of lithium-sulfur enables the electric vehicle to travel up to 1000 miles (Robin, 2022). This will be an improvement in efficiency generally across all modes of transportation. For example, cars and other modes of transportation will be able to travel a longer distance without having to stop for a recharge. This will provide passengers, operators, and drivers with the peace of mind of not having to worry about frequent stops for recharging.

Adding on, the high demand and use of rare raw materials like cobalt in lithium-ion batteries makes them more expensive than lithium-sulfur batteries (“Lithium-ion Battery”, 2022). The use of these materials is one of the main reasons that drive an increase in the price of lithium-ion batteries (“Lithium-ion Battery”, 2022). The reason why electric vehicles are generating a lower adoption rate than gas-burning vehicles is because lithium-ion batteries are expensive (Baker, 2022). According to Threewitt (2022), the average price of an electric vehicle was about $18,000 more than the average price of a gas vehicle in July 2022. A Reuters article has also shared that electric vehicles equipped with lithium-sulfur batteries can be up to two-thirds cheaper than the current lithium-ion battery. This results in cost savings for the consumers when it comes to the cost of electric vehicles, thus encouraging a shift from gas vehicles to electric vehicles.

Lithium-sulfur batteries offer a safer alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-sulfur does not require a conversion reaction that forms charge and discharge and therefore, this can reduce the risk of catastrophic failure. Lithium-sulfur batteries can also lower the risk of thermal runaway compared to lithium-ion as a protective solid-state layer at the anode reduces the occurrence of short circuits. As of today, the lithium-sulfur battery has passed the following safety tests: altitude, thermal, vibrations, shocks, external short circuits, crush, and forced discharge (“NexTech Batteries Earn,” 2022). This can assure the safety of transportation vehicles for commercial use and help prevent catastrophic accidents caused by vehicle malfunction. 

 Some opponents of leveraging lithium-sulfur batteries over lithium-ion batteries might argue that the negative aspect of utilising lithium-sulfur battery is that it is very poor in handling a large amount of charging cycles as compared to a lithium-ion battery. This is due to the charging process of lithium-sulfur batteries that results in an accumulation of chemical deposits known as dendrites which affect the ability to operate at peak efficiency. However, according to an article by Modern Sciences (Gamma Sulfur, 2022), researchers at Drexel University found a rare form of sulfur known as gamma sulfur which can remain stable over four thousand charge and discharge cycles. Therefore, this slows down battery degradation and this development will lead to the more sustainable and affordable battery technology. However, researchers will require more time to better understand this finding.   

In conclusion, the use of lithium-sulfur batteries offers numerous benefits compared to lithium-ion batteries such as lower cost, improved efficiency, and safety. While there are a few challenges to still overcome, such as the battery’s ability to handle a large number of charging cycles, which is something that the researchers are still looking into. The future of using the lithium-sulfur battery is potentially promising for the use of different transportation modes.

 

 


                                                            References

Carey, N., & Lienert, P. (2022, November 15). EV battery makers race to develop cheaper cell materials, skirting China. Reuters.https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ev-battery-makers-race-develop-cheaper-cell-materials-skirting-china-2022-11-15/

Fearon, R. (2022, May 17). How lithium batteries will improve EV range and rapid charging. Discovery. https://www.discovery.com/motor/lithium-battery

"Gamma sulfur" may hold the key to future lithium-sulfur batteries. (2022, March 24). Modern Sciences. https://modernsciences.org/gamma-sulfur-may-hold-the-key-to-future-lithium-sulfur-batteries/

Gould, L. (2020, July 21). Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: Advantages. The Faraday Institution. https://www.faraday.ac.uk/lis-advantages/

Lithium-ion battery pack prices rise for first time to an average of $151/kwh. (2022, December 6). BloombergNEF.  https://about.bnef.com/blog/lithium-ion-battery-pack-prices-rise-for-first-time-to-an-average-of-151-kwh/

Lockett, W. (2022, April 17). How an accidental discovery made this year could change the world. BIGTHINK. https://bigthink.com/the-future/lithium-sulfur-batteries/?utm_medium=Social.

NexTech Batteries Earns Milestone Un/Dot Safety Certification, Advancing Patented Lithium-Sulfur Technology Towards Commercialization(2022, September 1). Prnewswire.  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nextech-batteries-earns-milestone-undot-safety-certification-advancing-patented-lithium-sulfur-technology-towards-commercialization-301630369.html.

Singapore scientists simplify lithium-sulfur battery production to meet Future Energy Storage Needs. (2022, May 17). A*STAR HQ Corporate Website. https://www.a-star.edu.sg/News/a-star-news/news/press-releases/singapore-scientists-simplify-lithium-sulfur-battery-production-to-meet-future-energy-storage-needs

Threewitt, C. (2022, November 1). Why are electric cars so expensive? U.S, NEWS. https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/why-are-electric-cars-so-expensive.

 

 

 

 

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